Kamis, 22 September 2011

Will I Follow?

I sit here writing this after hearing the news that a missionary pilot in Papua crashed today with either one or two passengers. I sat with a worker from Papua as she told me some stories about this pilot and his love for the Lord. Flying a plane into the interior of Papua is not an easy task, in fact it is quite dangerous. This pilot, Paul, actually kept a keychain of pieces from other planes that have gone down. This keychain was a reminder to him that if the Lord calls he will follow, even if his plane crashes. What a witness, he did just that leaving a wife and two children behind. We praise the Lord that Paul is now with Him, but we join in grief for those left here.

God really convicted me through this. Last night I was pretty upset because I will be missing one of my best friend's wedding. Yes, this is a sacrifice. But, seriously I just got to skype (what a wonderful thing) with her, see her face, hear her voice, and continue to be a part of her life. Is missing a wedding as far as I will go to follow the Lord? Am I willing to sacrifice my life? I want to surrender all, like Paul, like so many that have gone before.

"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." Phil. 3:10-11

Will I obey God even if I don't see the promise, like Abraham? "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth." Hebrews 11:13